Bachelors and Masters in Health Management and Administration in Vermont

Economists who have studied the state of the healthcare industry, both before and after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented, have determined that some states have benefited from the Act far more than others. By their analysis, Vermont is the third highest on the list of states that has benefited the most from the ACA. This act has caused there to be far more access to healthcare, more state funding, and lower monthly premiums overall.

Because more of Vermont’s citizens have access to healthcare coverage, more people are actually able to get the medical treatments and medications that they need. This could be a contributing factor to why the healthcare field is experiencing such a healthy growth spurt.

According to the State of Vermont Department of Labor, medical and health service management occupations are expected to experience a 21 percent growth rate throughout 2012-2022. Those currently working in this career field earn average annual salaries of $92,480 (U.S. Department of Labor Statistics 2014).

Earning a Healthcare Administration Degree in Vermont

To find employment in the healthcare administration field, it has become almost essential to have a degree specific to the healthcare industry. A degree in healthcare administration or management provides students with the right skills and qualifications they need in order to succeed in the healthcare career field.

Undergraduate Degrees in Healthcare Administration

There are a number of different degree programs available to Vermont students hoping to enter the healthcare administration field:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration or Management (BS)

Bachelor of Health Administration (BHA)

Undergraduate degree programs are usually comprised of 120 credit hours. This allows most fulltime students to complete the undergraduate program in 4 years. The first two years typically consist of a required general education core. In the final two years of the undergrad program, students are able to take major-specific courses that deal with the following healthcare administration topics:

Medical terminology

Introduction to healthcare administration

The American healthcare system

Healthcare law

Finance

Public health

Business administration

Graduate Degrees in Healthcare Administration

In this exciting, changing, and competitive field of healthcare management and administration, having a graduate degree can make all the difference when applying for a job. There are many different graduate degree programs available to students in Vermont:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Master of Science (MS) in Health Policy and Management

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)

MHA/MBA dual degree programs

Graduate Program Admission Criteria

Specific requirements may vary from school to school, but most graduate schools typically use the following list as criteria for admission into their programs:

Letters of recommendation

Official undergraduate transcripts

A minimum GPA requirement

Prior or current work experience in the healthcare field

Personal statement or essay

Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in a healthcare-related field may still be considered for admission into these graduate programs; however, they may be required to take additional prerequisite courses before the graduate program begins.

Program Content

Graduate programs in healthcare administration typically consist of 36-60 credit hours, and students usually are able to complete them within two years. After the designated amount of coursework, many programs require students to complete a capstone project or a thesis paper as a final cumulative assignment.

Topics covered in graduate programs often include the following:

Strategic leadership and decision making

Financial management and budgeting

Management

Policy and compliancy

Economics of the healthcare system

Public and community health

Performance optimization

There are numerous online programs available for students seeking a more flexible format. For those who wish to enroll in an on-campus program, there are healthcare administration degree programs being offered in Bennington.

Healthcare Administration Jobs in Vermont

The following job descriptions have been compiled from various job boards across Vermont, and they can be helpful in showing what employers are looking for when they receive job inquiries and applications as far as prior job experience and educational background.

This list of job descriptions has been provided for illustration purposes only, and should not be interpreted as assurance of employment or as job offers.

Data Innovations, LLC – South Burlington

Senior Contracts Manager

Prepares and manages licensing and contracts for clinical supplies, handles negotiations and orders between the company and customers; bachelor’s degree in business or healthcare administration is required, ten years of contract management experience is preferred.

Northwestern Medical Center – St. Albans

Shift Administrator

Responsible for the management of the hospital and its employees, scheduling and supervising the staff’s shifts; a bachelor’s degree in nursing or health administration is required as well as a minimum of two years of supervisory experience.

Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region – Rutland

Practice Manager

Leads the health center staff team in day to day operations, handles hiring and training of employees, implements and assesses strategies for the highest level of clinic efficiency; ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in the healthcare field as well as three years of experience.

The University of Vermont Medical Center – Burlington

Director of Primary Care Internal Medicine and Family Medicine

The director is responsible for overseeing all operations and strategy for the university’s medical center; Ideal applicants would hold a master’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field.

Top Employers and Professional Resources for Healthcare Administrators in Vermont

Healthcare Administrators and Managers in Vermont will find that there are numerous resources available for their benefit.